Mental Health Nursing: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 6 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Mental health nursing

Method

  1. Decide whether there is an immediate risk: suicide, violence, a drug emergency or a physical illness.
  2. Act on safety first: observe, remove means, de-escalate, stop a harmful drug, get help.
  3. Choose the therapeutic response: acknowledge feelings, present reality, avoid false reassurance and “why” questions.
  4. Respect rights: the least restrictive option, consent and confidentiality with its limits.

2Practice problems

1.Mental health nursingMedium

A patient on an antipsychotic paces constantly and says he cannot sit still. What is this called?

  1. ACatatonia
  2. BTardive dyskinesia
  3. CAkathisia
  4. DPseudoparkinsonism
2.Mental health nursingHard

A 15-year-old tells the school nurse she has been cutting herself and asks her not to tell her parents. What is the best response?

  1. ATell her that cutting is a phase that many teenagers go through and it needs no help
  2. BPromise never to tell anyone about it, so that she keeps trusting the school nurse
  3. CPhone her parents at once without telling her
  4. DExplain that safety information must be shared, and involve her in how this is done
3.Clinical psychologyMedium

Clozapine is typically reserved for treatment-resistant schizophrenia because:

  1. AIt is the least effective antipsychotic available, so it is a last resort
  2. BIt can cause agranulocytosis, so regular blood monitoring is required
  3. CIt cannot be taken as tablets
  4. DIt only works on negative symptoms
4.Clinical psychologyHard

Expressed emotion research led to family interventions in schizophrenia. Which outcome do these interventions most reliably improve?

  1. AThe genetic risk of siblings
  2. BThe patient's IQ score
  3. CThe need for any antipsychotic medication
  4. DRelapse and readmission rates
5.PharmacologyMedium

Which common side effect is typical of ACE inhibitors?

  1. ADry cough
  2. BAnkle swelling caused by vasodilation
  3. CBradycardia
  4. DHypoglycaemia
6.PharmacologyHard

Which regimen is standard for eradicating Helicobacter pylori?

  1. AAn antacid alone, taken after meals and at bedtime for six months
  2. BAn H2 blocker taken only when pain occurs
  3. CA single dose of an antibiotic given intravenously
  4. DAcid suppression plus at least two antibiotics, often with bismuth, for 14 days

3Solutions

1.Mental health nursing

Answer: C · Akathisia

Why this is the answer

Akathisia is an inner restlessness with an urge to move. It is distressing, can be mistaken for agitation or anxiety and is linked to non-adherence and increased suicide risk.

Answer

C · Akathisia
2.Mental health nursing

Answer: D · Explain that safety information must be shared, and involve her in how this is done

Why this is the answer

Confidentiality has limits when there is risk of harm. The nurse explains this honestly, assesses risk and works with the young person on how and with whom information is shared, in line with safeguarding policy.

Answer

D · Explain that safety information must be shared, and involve her in how this is done
3.Clinical psychology

Answer: B · It can cause agranulocytosis, so regular blood monitoring is required

Why this is the answer

Clozapine is effective when other antipsychotics fail, but it can cause a dangerous fall in neutrophils, so patients need regular blood tests.

Answer

B · It can cause agranulocytosis, so regular blood monitoring is required
4.Clinical psychology

Answer: D · Relapse and readmission rates

Why this is the answer

Family interventions that teach communication and problem solving and reduce criticism lower relapse and readmission, usually alongside medication.

Answer

D · Relapse and readmission rates
5.Pharmacology

Answer: A · Dry cough

Why this is the answer

ACE also breaks down bradykinin. When it is inhibited, bradykinin accumulates in the airways and causes a persistent dry cough in some patients.

Answer

A · Dry cough
6.Pharmacology

Answer: D · Acid suppression plus at least two antibiotics, often with bismuth, for 14 days

Why this is the answer

Eradication combines acid suppression (usually a PPI) with at least two antibiotics; bismuth quadruple therapy for 14 days is now often first-line because clarithromycin resistance makes older triple therapy fail. Taking every dose matters, and cure is confirmed with a breath or stool test.

Answer

D · Acid suppression plus at least two antibiotics, often with bismuth, for 14 days

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